Lexington High SchoolLexington High School

SOPHOMORE PARENT SOPHOMORE PARENT WORKSHOPWORKSHOP

What To Expect As A 10What To Expect As A 10thth Grader Grader

More Courses to Choose FromMore Courses to Choose From More Extracurricular Activities and More Extracurricular Activities and

ProgramsPrograms More Independence & ResponsibilityMore Independence & Responsibility More Social EventsMore Social Events Greater Need for Time Management & Greater Need for Time Management &

OrganizationOrganization

AGENDAAGENDA

Upperclassman Transitions & Risky BehaviorUpperclassman Transitions & Risky Behavior Town and School ResourcesTown and School Resources Post-Secondary PlanningPost-Secondary Planning Parent RoleParent Role Q & AQ & A

Upperclassman Transitions Upperclassman Transitions & Risky Behavior& Risky Behavior

Comic from benitaepstein.com

High School TransitionsHigh School TransitionsWhat we know:What we know:

high school years are stressful and challenginghigh school years are stressful and challenging

Parents have dreams and hopesParents have dreams and hopes

It’s easy to lose sight of day to day livingIt’s easy to lose sight of day to day living

““It’s about the journey not the destination”It’s about the journey not the destination”

The pressure to succeed can have real life health The pressure to succeed can have real life health consequencesconsequences

Short term stress is important for Short term stress is important for successsuccess

Long term stress can impact emotional and Long term stress can impact emotional and physical health physical health

Many teens experience long term stress in their pursuit of success

Long term stress can cause:

depression anxiety cutting psychosomatic symptoms including: headaches, stomach aches use of alcohol and other drugs eating disorders sexually acting out

Remember to breath Remember to breath

““Put the oxygen mask on before you put it on your Put the oxygen mask on before you put it on your child”, child”, Wendy Mogel, author of “Blessings of a Skinned Knee”Wendy Mogel, author of “Blessings of a Skinned Knee”

Reflect on what our own values and beliefs areReflect on what our own values and beliefs are

Realistic expectationsRealistic expectations

Teach our children to become responsible, caring Teach our children to become responsible, caring family members and members of societyfamily members and members of society

What Parents Can Do

What Parents Can DoWhat Parents Can Do

Helping our children learn to balance the pressures. Teach Helping our children learn to balance the pressures. Teach them healthy coping strategies through example and them healthy coping strategies through example and conversation.conversation.

Know the warning signs of potential health related issues.Know the warning signs of potential health related issues. Know your child and what they feel passionate about.Know your child and what they feel passionate about. Provide guidance to your child but encourage them to have Provide guidance to your child but encourage them to have

responsibility for the tasks of preparing for their futures.responsibility for the tasks of preparing for their futures. Guidance and other resourcesGuidance and other resources Reach out to other parents and supports. Reach out to other parents and supports. Make time for fun and down time. Maintain a sense of humor.Make time for fun and down time. Maintain a sense of humor.

Town & School Town & School ResourcesResources

Town ResourcesTown Resources

Human Services DepartmentHuman Services Department

The Town of Lexington Human Services Department works to ensure the provision of core social services, including direct services such as limited case management, stabilization and parent support, promoting health and well being, advocacy, financial support, educational and support programs, cultural outreach and recreational programs for residents of all ages and backgrounds.  These services are provided by Human Services Department social workers at no cost to the resident.

Human Services DepartmentHuman Services Department www.lexingtonma.gov/humanservices/www.lexingtonma.gov/humanservices/

youthfamily.cfmyouthfamily.cfm

Meet with Emily Lavine, LICSW, Assistant Director Meet with Emily Lavine, LICSW, Assistant Director of Family & Human Services (1 – 5 times)of Family & Human Services (1 – 5 times)

Address a variety of concerns such as stress, Address a variety of concerns such as stress, family dynamics, life events, etc.family dynamics, life events, etc.

Services provided to residents at no chargeServices provided to residents at no charge

SchoolSchool Resource Resource

Guidance DepartmentGuidance Department

The primary purpose of the Guidance and Counseling Department is to promote the educational and social/emotional development of our students. The counselors help students and their families to manage adjustment difficulties and emotional impediments to the students’ academic progress.

How To Reach The How To Reach The Counseling DepartmentCounseling Department

TelephoneTelephone E-MailE-Mail Schedule an AppointmentSchedule an Appointment Web Page: lps.lexingtonma.orgWeb Page: lps.lexingtonma.org

POST-SECONDARY POST-SECONDARY PLANNINGPLANNING

2015 Graduation Requirements2015 Graduation Requirements

104 credits104 credits Course Distribution RequirementsCourse Distribution Requirements

– English 16 credits, Math 16 credits, Social Studies 16 English 16 credits, Math 16 credits, Social Studies 16 credits, Science 18 credits, Foreign Language 8 credits, credits, Science 18 credits, Foreign Language 8 credits, Fine Arts 8 credits, Physical Education 6 credits, Fine Arts 8 credits, Physical Education 6 credits, Wellness 2 creditsWellness 2 credits

MCAS – ELA, Mathematics, and ScienceMCAS – ELA, Mathematics, and Science 40 Hours Community Service40 Hours Community Service

SophomoreSophomore Programming Programming

In Sophomore Seminars Students … In Sophomore Seminars Students …

– Follow up to Career DayFollow up to Career Day Develop Career AwarenessDevelop Career Awareness

– Identify Strengths & Areas of InterestIdentify Strengths & Areas of Interest– Acquire Self-KnowledgeAcquire Self-Knowledge– Receive Assistance with Academic Planning Receive Assistance with Academic Planning

and Testing Informationand Testing Information

Course SelectionCourse Selection

Begins mid-FebruaryBegins mid-February Curriculum Night – February 13Curriculum Night – February 13thth

Course Catalogue available onlineCourse Catalogue available onlinelps.lexingtonma.org/lexingtonhs Important to select a well-balanced scheduleImportant to select a well-balanced schedule Placement Review & Approval for Outside Placement Review & Approval for Outside

Coursework Deadline = Coursework Deadline = March 15thMarch 15th 27 credits27 credits

MA State College and UMassMA State College and UMassMinimum Admission RequirementsMinimum Admission Requirements

English – 4 yearsEnglish – 4 years Mathematics – 3 years (Alg I, Alg II, Geo)Mathematics – 3 years (Alg I, Alg II, Geo) Science – 3 years (2 Lab Sciences)Science – 3 years (2 Lab Sciences) Social Studies – 2 years (US History)Social Studies – 2 years (US History) Foreign Languages – 2 years (single Foreign Languages – 2 years (single

language)language) Electives – 2 yearsElectives – 2 years

Minimum Required GradeMinimum Required GradePoint Average & SATPoint Average & SAT

Weighted GPA = 3.0Weighted GPA = 3.0

Applicants who meet the GPA requirement Applicants who meet the GPA requirement do not have to use the sliding scale for do not have to use the sliding scale for admission.admission.

Highly Selective College Highly Selective College Admission RequirementsAdmission Requirements

English – 4 years at the most rigorous level you English – 4 years at the most rigorous level you can handlecan handle

Mathematics – 4 years including Trigonometry and Mathematics – 4 years including Trigonometry and Pre-calculusPre-calculus

Science - 3-4 years of lab sciencesScience - 3-4 years of lab sciences Social Studies – 3-4 years including (1) year of US Social Studies – 3-4 years including (1) year of US

History and (1) year of European HistoryHistory and (1) year of European History Foreign Language – 3-4 years (single language)Foreign Language – 3-4 years (single language) Electives – 2-3 yearsElectives – 2-3 years

FAQ’s About the Advanced FAQ’s About the Advanced Placement Program (AP)Placement Program (AP)

What is the difference between credit and What is the difference between credit and placementplacement

– Some colleges award credit for qualifying AP Some colleges award credit for qualifying AP Exam grades. Exam grades.

FAQ’s About the Advanced FAQ’s About the Advanced Placement Program (AP)Placement Program (AP)

Can I earn college credit or placement just Can I earn college credit or placement just by taking the AP course?by taking the AP course?

– Colleges and universities give credit or Colleges and universities give credit or placement only for qualifying AP Exam grades, placement only for qualifying AP Exam grades, not AP course grades. not AP course grades.

Family ConnectionFamily Connection

Family Connection is a comprehensive Family Connection is a comprehensive website that you and your child can use to website that you and your child can use to help in making decisions about colleges & help in making decisions about colleges & careers.careers.

The web address for Family Connection is: The web address for Family Connection is: http://connection.naviance.com/lexington .Guest Password: lhsguidance Guest Password: lhsguidance

Post-Secondary PlanningPost-Secondary Planning

See 10See 10thth & 11 & 11thth Grade Calendars Grade CalendarsOn the LHS Guidance WebsiteOn the LHS Guidance Website

Standardized TestingStandardized Testing

MCAS – Administered in March, May, and JuneMCAS – Administered in March, May, and June

SAT Subject Tests – Biology & HistorySAT Subject Tests – Biology & History- administered in May or June- administered in May or June- collegeboard.org- collegeboard.org

AP Exams – Sophomore YearAP Exams – Sophomore Year- only take if you are in the course- only take if you are in the course- Administered mid-May @ LHS- Administered mid-May @ LHS

Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) – Administered October Junior Year(PSAT/NMSQT) – Administered October Junior Year

John and Abigail Adams John and Abigail Adams Scholarship ProgramScholarship Program

Non-need based & state-supported aid to reward and Non-need based & state-supported aid to reward and attract high performing students to MA public higher attract high performing students to MA public higher educationeducation

Massachusetts public high school studentsMassachusetts public high school students score of Advanced on the ELA or Mathematics test and a score of Advanced on the ELA or Mathematics test and a

score of Proficient or higher on the other test; ANDscore of Proficient or higher on the other test; AND have combined scores from the MCAS ELA and have combined scores from the MCAS ELA and

Mathematics tests that place them in the top 25 percent of Mathematics tests that place them in the top 25 percent of students in the graduating class in their district. students in the graduating class in their district.

The state to notifies Lexington Public Schools in the Fall of The state to notifies Lexington Public Schools in the Fall of senior yearsenior year

Stanley Koplik Certificate of MasteryStanley Koplik Certificate of Mastery

Parent RoleParent Role

Tips For ParentsTips For Parents

At the beginning of each term, sit with your child At the beginning of each term, sit with your child and set realistic academic goals for the term.and set realistic academic goals for the term.

Encourage your child to be involved in Encourage your child to be involved in extracurricular activities. Show your support by extracurricular activities. Show your support by attending events.attending events.

Help your child explore and evaluate a variety of Help your child explore and evaluate a variety of career and educational options.career and educational options.

Help your child develop independence by Help your child develop independence by encouraging him/her to take responsibility for encouraging him/her to take responsibility for balancing homework with other activities.balancing homework with other activities.

What Parents Can DoWhat Parents Can Do

Assist your child with course selectionAssist your child with course selection– Solicit the assistance of guidance counselor as needed.Solicit the assistance of guidance counselor as needed.

Communicate with your child’s teachers and Communicate with your child’s teachers and counselor re: academic progress, and course counselor re: academic progress, and course expectations.expectations.

Call with concerns about recent changes in Call with concerns about recent changes in behavior, attitude, and/or academic performance.behavior, attitude, and/or academic performance.

Ask for resources outside of school to assist with Ask for resources outside of school to assist with social/emotional issues.social/emotional issues.

What Parents Can Do Cont…What Parents Can Do Cont…

Tour college campuses or visit their web Tour college campuses or visit their web sites.sites.

Is your child interested in attending a U.S. Is your child interested in attending a U.S. military academy?military academy?

Begin to plan financially for college as early Begin to plan financially for college as early as possible.as possible.

Question and AnswersQuestion and Answers

Any questions not addressed during the time Any questions not addressed during the time allowed should be submitted on an index allowed should be submitted on an index

card to the Director of Guidancecard to the Director of Guidance

Thank YouThank You